Chereads / One Year of Assassination / Chapter 2 - The Beginning of Retaliation

Chapter 2 - The Beginning of Retaliation

December 27, 2031

The small square room was dark and quiet. The walls were cracked and water runs upon them slowly, gloomy as blood. There is a wooden table at the center with deep scratches on it, as if someone did it with a knife. On the top is a small lamp, surely it will help you to see a bit in the blanket of darkness. Beneath the table is a drain hole.

There were chains and scraps on the ground. There were rats roaming around. They moved skillfully in the darkness as if they done it for millions of years.

It was totally creepy, a perfect place for a horror movie.

Footsteps were suddenly heard on a distance. The quiet place abruptly rejoices as the rats hastened trying to look for a place to hide.

The entrance of the room was unlocked and a guy in his mid 20s, come into view. He can barely be indentified due to his neoprene face mask. He wore a black hoodie and pants. On his hand was a fine, brown suitcase with a name 'Michaelson' on the middle part.

He slowly stepped in towards the table and bended his knees. He took something from his pocket, gently lifted his hand. It was a small bottle with blue fluid in it. Then, he immediately poured the content in the drain hole. A strange beeping was heard, followed by a voice saying "access granted". Surprisingly, the walls split into two and an elevator rise.

"Welcome, Agent January" a woman in a long sleeve gown appeared. She was stunningly beautiful. With a blonde, wavy hair, average height, sexy body. A perfect wife a typical guy is dreaming of.

"What's with the outfit, February?" January asked. "Don't you like it?" she replied with a sweet, sexy voice. He removed his face mask and went towards the elevator. He kissed her as they went down together leisurely.

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(Developmental Research and Assassination Bureau's Underground Basement)

The place is humongous. The way on how it was constructed were intelligently planned. There were plenty of rooms, 40 to be exact, and they're all interconnected to each other.

On the southern part is a row of rooms with names based on the months of the year.

There were lots of superb equipments. All were highly technological and very complicated.

After some time, a soft thud was heard and the elevator opened. January and February sauntered towards the room named 'Office of the Commander'. The moment they reached the door, January spoke "Mission accomplished". It automatically moved as they went in silently.

The room is exceptional. There are tons of firearms on the walls, as if they were a collection. There were also hanging medals of honors, the fruit of military service.

In the middle of the room is a sumptous table where a man in his mid 40s comfortably sits.

"Do you have it?" The man asked January, in a deep tone of voice. With his physical appearance you can say he is not the kind of guy who will laugh on a simple joke nor smile in a simple manner. He wears a military outfit, but it was modified. On his table was a shining plaque with a name embedded on it. Dwayne Johnsons: The Commander-in-Chief.

January raised his right hand and showed him the suitcase. "Open it" Dwayne commanded. He directly placed it on the table and pushed the button on the top of the case. Dwayne gazed as it slowly opened. It's a well-sealed opaque canister.

"This is a sample of a biochemical weapon from ASFW. " January presented. "Bontularia toxin, a deadly bacteria that was newly discovered. It's extreme effect can cause muscle paralysis, severe internal bleeding, violent vomiting and high fever. It is not an airborne disease however, it can be passed with phsyical contact from an infected individual and can multiply rapidly".

"How much of these biochemical weapon do they have?" Dwayne asked.

"Enough to take down a whole country", January answered.

There is a sudden pause for a moment. What the hell are they planning? He thought.

"As of now, I really have no idea about the next moves of ASFW. But as far as I know, Isaac will be calling the attention of his alliance today for an emergency meeting". January stated.

"Good. Let us make use of the time. We should acquire all of the topics that they will be discussing.".

"Anything I can do to help?" A young woman offered. She was wearing a classy eyeglasses. Her black leather jacket and pants were superbly suited on her body. Her straight, long hair and bangs make her appeal very ravishing.

"Right in time, Agent April" Dwayne commended. "I want you to take charge about this. January will be explaining everything to you"

"Yes sir." April responded.

January closed the suitcase and took it.

"I'll be resting for a while, Good luck" February said and make an exit.

April handed Dwayne a brown envelope and smiled. "This is the plan you instructed me to do Yesterday. I thought about something intently regarding the resignantion of our President. There might be a reason behind this."

"I agree. But our priority is the meeting that will be held later. We may find some necessary answers to our questions" He said.

"We will begin the preparation, sir. And we would be updating you from time to time" April stated.

They were about to leave when a loud noise echoed accross the room. It was a high-pitched, eerie sound but closely similar to a siren of an ambulance. The three of them immediately proceeded to the control room. With a confusion on their faces, they glanced upon their T.V. screens.

"What is happening?" Dwayne asked.

"There are intruders!" A woman, in his early 20s yelled. She had a badge on her right shoulder with a name 'July'.

"We had identified a group of people who entered our base using the elevator." July said worriedly.

They peeked at the huge monitor at the center of the room and spectated numerous soldiers roaming in their area.

"How the hell did they get in here?!" April shouted.

Before she could make a move, January pointed a gun upon them and threw a little smile.

"Game over".

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"Hey, Rick open the door! brought you some books from the library" A girl in her high school uniform said while knocking on the door. On her I.D. was a name; Stacey Barbara. She waited there for almost five minutes. Sadly, no one answered but silence.

"Hayyss. Seems like he's not around. Alright, I'll just leave these here". She carefully put the books in front of the door and take a deep breath as she walked away.

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John Rick's POV

The weather is quite hot and humid I guess. There are plenty of customers and I almost drained all my energy trying to provide a customer-focused service in a fast-paced environment. 4:35pm. I already exceeded 35 minutes on my working time.

"You look very exhausted, John Rick" My boss told me. He's 73, too old for work and needs to have a proper care by his relatives. He owns a huge farm in Adams Town, the most well-known place in providing the best and quality crops and farm animals.

"Nahh, an adequate rest will be enough to regain my strength." I replied calmly.

After receiving my daily allowance, I hurriedly get my things and stroll around the park right in front of the supermarket. During my kinder days, my mom and I used to spend time here as our bonding moment. She would buy me my favorite cotton candy and together we will eat.

In the middle of the park is an elderly wishing well. To be honest, reviewing my lectures isn't part of my daily routine. So every time there would be an examination, I just go here and make a wish. Suprisingly, I haven't received any failing grade to all of my subjects. I wonder if it is really the well's power.

On the southern part is a playground, my safe haven. Whenever I feel sad and weary, I would absolutely go there and sit on the swing set. Just like today. As some flashbacks circle through my mind, a combination of pain and happiness hit me. I can't explain it. Yet, I feel some kind of relief while I'm in this place. I can sense the presence of my mother.

Time to go.

I still have a lot of things to do. After all, I have no one to depend on. I know I have few friends to support me, but they can't always be with me all the time. And in the end, all I learned was how to be strong alone.

It's not as easy as they think it is. Some are saying "Hey, all you have to do is to take care of yourself. Nothing more and nothing less. You can enjoy life without any restrictions". Yeah, some sort of trashy ideas from close-minded people. How can I enjoy if I'm alone? Duh.

Eh, enough for the dramas.

I touched the swing as a sign of my final goodbye. Thanks for all the precious memories, and for always giving me comfort and joy. I gradually walked away but I've noticed, something strange is happening. I've seen some people on a distance screaming and running agitatedly. A tidal wave of fear rushed over my body. I impetuously dashes behind the bushes and peep towards the rowdy crowd.

Unexpectedly, I heard some gunshots. This isn't good. I need to escape as soon as I can. Oh no, this can't be happening. I saw a little girl on the slide, anxious and unaware of what is happening. Someone should save her before she gets killed. But no one is around except me. What should I do now? Would I risk my own life for a small chance to save someone?

Arghh, I can't think straight.

With a lightning speed, I forcefully carried myself on the slide and grasped the kid. My heart picked up a fast beat, quickening with the knowledge that we might die soon.

Unluckily, someone is shooting right where we are hiding. Seems like we've been spotted. This is bad I need to do something.

"Hey, honey don't cry okay? Everything will be alright. We will find your mommy" I told the little girl. She just nodded. Good girl.

I took out a combat knife out of my bag. It was a gift from my father, and I always carry this for security purposes. I'm fortunate enough for I know how to handle this specialized knife. My father, a security guard in his times, taught me few knife fighting techniques.

I readied myself for an immediate action. Pausing on the ground, I listened to some footsteps, waiting for something that would tell me it's time to attack.

Yes, there you go.

A shadowy figure blended through the sunlight, and this is the opportunity that I've been waiting for.

I rapidly climbed up on the ladder of the slide and executed my tumbling skills as I throw the knife in the direction of our attacker. Bull's eye. Without any hesitation, I took my knife that deeply sinked into his head, ammunition from his pocket and his firearm. It's an SIG Sauer P226, a semi-automatic handgun. I also recognized the symbol of a lion on his shoulder, same symbol I saw on the person who killed my parents. Who are these people? Why are they doing this? I will make them pay.

I came back behind the slide and checked the girl. She's fine, but scared.

"Come on, let's go" She immediately stood up and grabbed my hand.

I examined the area first to ensure our safety. Clear. There are dead bodies lying on the ground. Some cars were badly damaged. This scenery is too sensitive for a child's naked eye.

"I want you to close your eyes and never make any sound." I instructed her and she obeyed.

We proceeded on my workplace and looked for my boss. Nobody went out. The whole zone become a ghost town in an instant. I'm so puzzled and disturbed. But I can't be flexible enough while this little girl is beside me. I opened the cabinet below the sink and glanced at her.

"Hey, I want you to hide here. Wait for me I'll find someone to help us okay?" I stated. She just nodded her head and went inside. I'm so thankful the girl is not the kind of kid who makes some wild sounds and cries while her mother isn't around.

I closed the cabinet and quietly went out through the back door. I headed to the parking lot, and still I can hear few gushots not too far from me. Where are the police? They should be here any time now. I hid myself behind a van as I detected a group of people nearby, around 8 persons, speaking indistinctively. They are the mass shooting suspects. I'll try to get rid of them one by one.

I cautiously spied them and wait for a pefect time to pull the trigger of my gun. To my surprise, they rapidly lie down and die. Someone shooted them already in just a blink of an eye. A guy, wearing a black, long sleeve hoodie and pants come into sight. He has a red face mask extending from ear to ear. His posture isn't a normal one. On his hand was some kind of a well-designed lightweight firearm. He shrugged and took a quick glance towards me, as if he really know where I am. Will he going to shoot me? I'm getting nervous. He begun moving closer.

I instantly showed myself and raise my hands. "Don't shoot me.", I beg.

He pulled down his mask and grinned "Don't worry, I came to save you.", He said smoothly. "We have no much time left, we should get going"

We're what? I'm bewildered.

"Where are we going?" I interrogated.

"In a secret place.", he responded "You will be the next Agent January.".